Application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the differentiation of high-grade brain neoplasm and inflammatory brain lesions.

This study aims at evaluating the application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the differential diagnosis of brain tumors and inflammatory brain lesions. The examinations of 81 individuals, who performed brain MRS and were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with ages between 10 and 80 years old, were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 42 individuals with diagnoses of cerebral toxoplasmosis and Group B was formed of 39 individuals with diagnosis of glial neoplasms. On analyzing the ROC curve, the discriminatory boundary for the Cho/Cr ratio between inflammatory lesions and tumors was 1.97 and for the NAA/Cr ratio it was 1.12. RMS is an important method useful in the distinction of inflammatory brain lesions and high-degree tumors when the Cho/Cr ratio is greater than 1.97 and the NAA/Cr ratio is less than 1.12. And so this method is important in the planning of treatment and monitoring of the therapeutic efficiency.

Application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the differentiation of high-grade brain neoplasm and inflammatory brain lesions / Aplicação da espectroscopia por ressonância magnética na diferenciação de lesões expansivas encefálicas neoplásicas e inflamatórias

This study aims at evaluating the application of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the differential diagnosis of brain tumors and inflammatory brain lesions. The examinations of 81 individuals, who performed brain MRS and were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with ages between 10 and 80 years old, were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 42 individuals with diagnoses of cerebral toxoplasmosis and Group B was formed of 39 individuals with diagnosis of glial neoplasms. On analyzing the ROC curve, the discriminatory boundary for the Cho/Cr ratio between inflammatory lesions and tumors was 1.97 and for the NAA/Cr ratio it was 1.12. RMS is an important method useful in the distinction of inflammatory brain lesions and high-degree tumors when the Cho/Cr ratio is greater than 1.97 and the NAA/Cr ratio is less than 1.12. And so this method is important in the planning of treatment and monitoring of the therapeutic efficiency.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a aplicação da espectroscopia por ressonância magnética (ERM) no diagnóstico diferencial entre lesões expansivas encefálicas inflamatórias e neoplásicas. Foram analisados retrospectivamente 81 indivíduos que realizaram exames de ERM com idade entre 10 a 18 anos, divididos em dois grupos. O grupo A foi formado por 42 indivíduos com diagnóstico de neurotoxoplasmose e o grupo B foi formado por 39 indivíduos com diagnóstico de neoplasias gliais. Após análise da curva ROC observou-se que o valor discriminatório da relação Co/Cr entre lesões inflamatórias e neoplásicas foi de 1,97 e da relação Naa/Cr foi de 1,12. A espectroscopia por RM é um método útil na distinção de lesões expansivas inflamatórias e neoplasias de alto grau quando a relação Co/Cr é maior que 1,97 e a relação Naa/Cr é menor que 1,12, o que torna este método importante no planejamento do tratamento e monitorização da eficácia terapêutica.

[Secondary syphilis with pulmonary involvement: report of a case with emphasis to the high-resolution CT and magnetic resonance findings]. / Sífilis secundária com comprometimento pulmonar: Relato de um caso com ênfase nos achados de tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética.

A 37-year-old man presented with thoracic pain and fever. The physical examination showed reddish skin lesions. He was investigated with radiography, high- resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance of the chest, which revealed multiple small and large nodules with random distribution, mostly in the lower lungs zones. Biopsies of lung and skin lesions was performed and the diagnosis of secondary syphilis was defined. Other laboratories tests (venereal disease laboratory and FtA-abs) corroborated the diagnosis. The patient was treated with penicillin, and the pulmonary and skin lesions regressed in the follow- up examinations.

Sífilis secundária com acometimento pulmonar / Secondary syphilis with pulmonary involvement

Sífilis é doença sistêmica e infectocontagiosa causada pelo Treponema pallidum. Relata-se caso de sífilis secundária em homem de 37 anos com queixas relacionadas ao trato respiratório. Manifestações clínicas e exames de imagens, incluindo radiografia e tomografia computadorizada de tórax, sugeriram neoplasia. A avaliação dermatológica e os exames complementares (sorologia e anatomopatológico de pele) confirmaram o diagnóstico. Paciente foi tratado com aplicação semanal de penicilina G benzatina 24.000.00 UI, via intramuscular, por duas semanas. Cura clínica e dermatológica foram observadas, bem como regressão das alterações radiológicas e melhora sorológica.

Syphilis is an infectious systemic disease caused by Treponema pallidum. A case of secondary syphilis in a 37- year-old man with respiratory complaints is reported. Clinical manifestations and imaging exams, including chest radiographs and CT, suggested neoplasm. Dermatological examination and skin biopsy, along with serologic testing, were performed and confirmed the diagnosis of syphilis. The patient was treated with weekly intramuscular injections of 24.000.00 IU of benzathine penicillin for two consecutive weeks. His symptoms and skin lesions disappeared, serological tests negativated and the regression of the radiological abnormalities was observed.

Studying the evolution and the magnetic resonance findings of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy in children.

PURPOSE: To describe the evolution and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy (RLPS) in children. METHOD: Nine children with neurologic symptoms and sudden increase of the arterial pressure were studied by brain MRI. RESULTS: All children evaluated had lesions seen on FLAIR-weighted images of the parietal-occipital regions. Other regions were also involved. Four patients presented restriction on diffusion-weighted images and only two with reduction of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), which evolved with neurologic sequels and persistence of the lesions on the control examination. The other patients had complete regression of the lesions after therapy. CONCLUSION: MRI is important to suggest the diagnosis of RPLS in patients with arterial hypertension and unspecific neurologic symptoms. Moreover, the outcome is not favorable all the time and the association of D-WI with ADC can be an instrument capable of predicting irreversible lesions.

Studying the evolution and the magnetic resonance findings of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy in children / Estudo da localização e evolução da leucoencefalopatia posterior reversível em crianças usando ressonância magnética

PURPOSE: To describe the evolution and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy (RLPS) in children. METHOD: Nine children with neurologic symptoms and sudden increase of the arterial pressure were studied by brain MRI. RESULTS: All children evaluated had lesions seen on FLAIR-weighted images of the parietal-occipital regions. Other regions were also involved. Four patients presented restriction on diffusion-weighted images and only two with reduction of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), whitch evolved with neurologic sequels and persistence of the lesions on the control examination. The other patients had complete regression of the lesions after therapy. CONCLUSION: MRI is important to suggest the diagnosis of RPLS in patients with arterial hypertension and unspecific neurologic symptoms. Moreover, the outcome is not favorable all the time and the association of D-WI with ADC can be an instrument capable of predicting irreversible lesions.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a evolução e aspectos na ressonância magnética (RM) da leucoencefalopatia posterior reversível (LPR) em crianças. MÉTODO: Nove crianças com sintomas neurológicos e aumento súbito da pressão arterial foram estudadas por exame de RM encefálica. RESULTADOS: Todas as crianças avaliadas tinham lesões vistas nas regiões parieto-occipitais em imagens ponderadas na seqüência FLAIR. Outras regiões também foram envolvidas. Quatro crianças apresentaram restrição na seqüência difusão e apenas duas com redução do coeficiente de difusão aparente (ADC), o qual evoluiu com lesões seqüelares em exame de controle; os outros pacientes tiveram regressão completa das lesões após terapia específica. CONCLUSÃO: A RM é um método importante para o diagnostico de LPR em pacientes com hipertensão arterial e sintomas neurológicos não específicos. Devido à evolução não ser favorável em todos os casos, a associação da difusão com ADC pode ser utilizada para predizer lesões irreversíveis.